Floating Restaurant
Mainland License — Compare Across 3 UAE Emirates
Cheapest from
AED 600
Ajman
3 emirates available
Government Fee Comparison
Ajman DED — Flat fee
AED 600
Flat AED 600 license fee + ~AED 3,900 mandatory DED fees. Total minimum ~AED 4,5
Base AED 8,000 + 5% rent
AED 9,500
30K rent
AED 10,500
50K rent
AED 12,000
80K rent
SEDD — Per-license (quote required)
Approvals: Sharjah Municipality - Health Department, Sharjah Municipality - Health Department
Quote required
Fees calculated per-license based on license type, legal form, and activities. C
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About This Activity
Includes ships, boats or yachts suitably equipped for dining on board, including serving the food and beverages while the ship is anchoring or on entertainment cruise.
Our Analysis
Abu Dhabi charges AED 600 for a floating restaurant license — barely more than a standard cafeteria. Dubai's formula starts at AED 8,000, plus 5% of your marina berth lease.
Floating restaurants operate on boats, barges, or dhows moored at designated locations. Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, Abu Dhabi Corniche, and Yas Marina all host floating dining operations. The concept combines dining with waterfront views — a premium experience that commands premium prices.
Dubai's dinner dhow cruises are tourist institutions. Dubai Marina's floating restaurants attract both residents and visitors. The market is established and proven.
Abu Dhabi's waterfront dining scene is growing. The Corniche, Al Bateen, and Yas Marina attract floating restaurant operators. At AED 600, the DED barrier is negligible.
The trade-off: maritime authority approval, mooring permits, food safety certification, and marine vessel inspection. The regulatory overhead is significant beyond the DED license.
100% foreign ownership. No local sponsor. Maritime authority and municipality food safety approvals mandatory.
Dubai for the established dinner cruise market. Abu Dhabi at AED 600 for waterfront dining startups.
For hospitality free zone options, see FreeZoneCompare.com.
Prices from official government portals, verified May 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Floating Restaurant license cost in Ajman?
The government DED fee for a Floating Restaurant license in Ajman is AED 600. This is the cheapest among the 3 emirates where this activity is available. Additional costs may include office rent, visa fees, and external approval charges.
Which UAE emirate is cheapest for a Floating Restaurant license?
Ajman offers the lowest government fee at AED 600. However, total setup costs also depend on office rent, visa requirements, and any external approvals needed for this activity.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Floating Restaurant business in the UAE?
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland business activities — including Floating Restaurant — allow 100% foreign ownership across all UAE emirates. A local sponsor or service agent is no longer required for most activities.
What approvals are needed for a Floating Restaurant license?
Beyond the DED license, you may need approval from: Tourism Activites (Dubai), Sharjah Municipality - Health Department (Sharjah), Sharjah Municipality - Health Department (Sharjah). Requirements vary by emirate and specific business scope.
How much does a Floating Restaurant license cost in Dubai?
Dubai uses a formula-based fee: approximately AED 8,000 base fee plus 5% of your annual office rent. For example, with AED 50,000 annual rent, expect roughly AED 10,500 in government fees. Dubai also offers an Instant License at AED 8,000 flat (virtual location) and budget SME/Intelaq licenses at AED 1,070.
Is Floating Restaurant available as a mainland license in all UAE emirates?
Floating Restaurant is available for mainland licensing in 3 emirates: Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman. Each emirate has its own DED with independent fee structures and requirements. Use MainlandCompare.com to compare fees across all available emirates.
What type of license is Floating Restaurant in the UAE?
Floating Restaurant falls under the Professional license category in the UAE. Professional licenses cover consultancy, services, and skilled trades.
Is it cheaper to get a Floating Restaurant license in Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
Ajman offers the lowest fee at AED 600. Dubai's formula-based approach starts at AED 8,000 before rent. Choose based on where your customers are, not just the license fee.
How long does it take to get a Floating Restaurant mainland license?
Setup time varies by emirate: Dubai offers same-day approval with the Instant License (AED 8,000), or 1-3 working days for a Normal License. Abu Dhabi takes 2-5 working days. Sharjah and Ajman take 1-5 working days. Additional time may be needed for external approvals.
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